How to clean silicone molds (2024)

Thorough cleaning of silicone molds is essential to prolong their life span. Learn all the useful tips on how to wash silicone molds, including bakeware, in the right way.

Silicone molds are like any other kitchen appliance, and they need to be taken care of for you to get the most out of them.

For starters, before using a new one, always wash it thoroughly with soapy water and let some hot tap run over the surface of the mold, then dry.

Maintaining your mold will ensure durability through the years' worth of use. You must clean your molds immediately after use; don't let dirty molds stay till the next day.

The goal when cleaning silicone molds is to remove any stains, burn marks, and greasy substances.

There are two ways to perform this task: to wash silicone bakeware by hand or to use a dishwasher.

How to clean silicone molds

To clean your silicone mold by hand, use dish washing soap that contains a grease-cutting agent. If desired, usea microfiber cloth.

But don't scrape it with a scrubby sponge! You risk damaging the material and forming micro-scratches, which might affect the pan's non-stick properties.

Another way of handwashing is to soak your mold in the kitchen sink filled with hot soapy water for one hour, the longer the better.

Then wash it in warm soapy water with your hands (wear rubber dishwashing gloves if desired) or use a non-abrasive sponge. If the water is cold, add more hot water.

Rinse your mold with clean running water, preferably hot, and let it dry (it may take several hours). But don't use a kitchen towel to dry to avoid the deposit of fabric particles.

Finally, if desired, you can sterilize silicone. Just bring your silicone mold to the oven at 212 degrees F or 100 degrees C for 2 minutes.

If the silicone piece still feels sticky, use a dishwasher or the more aggressive cleaning steps below.

Are silicone molds dishwasher safe?

Generally speaking, almost all silicone molds are dishwasher safe, but it depends upon the quality of the silicone.

The poorer it is, the less the silicone mold will withstand the dishwasher's heat.

So, once purchasing a new mold, always refer to the manufacturer's instructions.

Please, read the description of the silicone product carefully and pay attention to the package information.

If the mold is dishwasher safe, avoid the intensive washing program. Instead, wash it with a cycle below 158°F or 70°C using a non-abrasive detergent.

Still, remember that if you want to keep your molds in good condition for a long time, give the preference hand-washing.

How to remove burn, stains, and fat

From time to time, your silicone molds will need a more aggressive way of getting rid of the tough stains, marks, or residue.

Here are a few different ways that work for whatever cleaning needs might be at hand.

So one of the most often questions is how to clean burnt silicone bakeware.

If you need to remove burn marks, pourwhite vinegar into your silicone mold and add very hot water. Let it soak for 1 hour, then rinse with clean water.

To remove stubborn stains from silicone bakeware, the vinegar-like method also works.

Alternatively, you can also usebaking soda and hot water. Just pour baking soda with hot water into a silicone mold, and let it stay for at least 1 hour.

Then rinse it thoroughly to remove the sodium bicarbonate. If left, it may damage the silicone while washing with the soap on the next step.

To finish, wash the mold with soap, rinse and dry.

The best way to get rid of heavy stains on light-colored silicone pieces from darker foods is with hydrogen peroxide or chlorine bleach. These products will safely and effectively remove any discoloration fast.

Soak your mold in hydrogen peroxide or a mixture of two tablespoons of bleach for every 2 cups of water for 24 hours. Then rinse very well and dry.

The easiest way to remove fat and other greasy substances is to use a dishwasher for your molds.

But how to remove the crispy bits of your preparation from the silicone pan?

The solution to getting rid of pesky pieces from your cooked meal is as easy and straightforward.

Just put the pan in an oven at 350°F or 175 °C for 10-15 minutes, then soak with very hot soapy water before rinsing it.

How to clean silicone bakeware

Silicone baking molds are durable, non-stick, and easy to clean. So it makes perfect sense why you want one for your next cupcake or muffin recipe.

One of the most important things to remember about preserving your bakeware is that it needs regular cleaning.

But is there any difference in cleaning silicone baking mats, silicone cookware, and silicone chocolate molds?

Not really. Clean silicone mats, silicone baking sheets, baking cups, and muffin cups by the common methods listed in this post.

Just remember that your silicone bakeware must be impeccable before each storage.

Avoid these common mistakes

To find your silicone molds like new, nothing is complicated, but there are a few things to avoid.

1. Avoid using abrasive sponges, scouring pads, and anything abrasive like, for example, a toothbrush, stiff-bristled brush, or abrasive detergents to clean your resin silicone molds. They can damage the molds leaving permanent micro-scratches.

Instead, wash your molds with hands, a soft sponge, and non-abrasive detergent or mild soap.

2. Be sure never to use solvents when cleaning the molds.This can damage them and degrade your products quicker than you would expect.

3. Don't use boiling water to wash your molds. Instead, use warm water or hot water to remove burn marks and stains.

4. Additionally, never wipe silicone molds with a kitchen towel as this can lead to fabric particles depositing and the chance of sticking even before being used.

Instead, let your molds air dry thoroughly before storing them.

5. Here is a little tip for you when drying the molds after washing. Don't reverse it inside out!

Instead, let them dry, keeping their original shape. Preserving the integrity of the mold is essential.

6. Never place yoursilicone molddirectly on the flame of your gas stove or any hot surface to dry out. Also, avoid UV light that dries out the silicone, damaging it.

Instead, let it air dry at room temperature away from direct sunlight.

7. Don't use cooking sprays, or at least limit their use

Whether it or not, cooking sprays leads to a greasy buildup in the silicone molds.

Instead, don't grease your molds. You don't really need to do this additional step since they are naturally non-stick.

Conclusion

If you take care of your silicone molds, they will last longer than most other materials.

You can use this article on cleaning tactics for other different types of silicone products, including silicone utensils, intricate molds, containers, and straws.

Just remember that you must wash silicone after every use. Don't let the fat build a sticky film on the surface of your mold.

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